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Masters Degrees (Food Security)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6610

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Food Security) by Author "Green, Jannette Maryann."

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    The potential contribution of a sustainable organic household food garden to vitamin A and vegetable needs of sampled low-income households, KwaZulu-Natal.
    (2003) Makhotla, Likeleli.; Hendriks, Sheryl Lee.; Green, Jannette Maryann.; Chitja, Joyce Magoshi.; Young, Marion Belinda.
    Vitamin A deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. In South Africa, in 1999, 62 to 70 percent of children in rural areas and 48 to 62 percent in urban areas consumed less than half the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin. A. This study set out to investigate the potential contribution of home gardens to the vitamin A and vegetable needs of low-income households, especially in rural areas. The study problem was to develop a model of a sustainable household food garden to ensure adequate supply of vitamin A rich vegetables to meet the vitamin A requirements of low-income households throughout the year. The study subproblems included: first, to develop an organic household food garden unit to provide adequate vitamin A and vegetables for households. Second, to test the feasibility of the garden unit among sample households in two study areas. Third, to test vitamin A and vegetable adequacies of the garden unit for the sample households. A survey of 52 households from Department of Agriculture communal garden projects in Cuphulaka and Mlwandle in KwaZulu-Natal was conducted. The sample households were participants in communal gardens, but the survey dealt with household production only. Data included household demographics, types of vegetables grown, garden sizes, gardening practices, the socio-economic and environmental constraints of home gardening and the food frequency consumption. The garden unit was developed from a review of literature regarding best practice of organic production of vitamin A rich vegetables. The garden unit was demonstrated to the study participants and their perceptions of the unit were measured in discussion groups to test the acceptance and feasibility of the household garden. Data on household demographics and frequency of vegetable consumption was used to measure adequacy of vitamin A consumed by households and to test adequacy of vitamin A and vegetables from the garden unit. Most participants depended mainly on communal garden projects for vegetables. Although access to land seemed not a problem, few sample households practiced home gardening. Water scarcity and lack of fencing were frequently reported as constraints of home gardening by sample households who perceived home gardening as a cost-effective way of diversifying and adding nutrients to family diets. However, vegetable production in home gardens was characterised by low yields and seasonal availability. The potential of the household food gardens to increase vegetable production was found feasible by sample households. No significant difference was identified in vegetable consumption of households with and without home gardens. In fact, participation in communal gardens does not increase the vegetable consumption of sample households, which may be the result of no or low production and poor eating habits. The study assumed that rural households should consume at least 33 percent of RDA of vitamin A from vegetables, yet many sample households consumed less than this. Sample households could obtain enough vitamin A and vegetables from the garden unit/s, and in many cases they could have surpluses. Recommendations include the integration of home gardening in government strategies and integration of nutrition education in programmes that aim at increasing vegetable production in communal and home gardens in study areas.
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    Potential of Jozini smallholder cattle farmers to progress from subsistence to commercial cattle farming for enhanced rural livelihoods.
    (2016) Fakade, Sinelizwi.; Green, Jannette Maryann.
    Globally, livestock contributes significantly towards domestic production and household food security. Smallholder farmers are cited to won large livestock numbers compared to commercial farmers, especially in South Africa. The potential to commercialise exists however, various factors influence the transition from smallholder to commercial farming. This study assessed nutrition and health status of Jozini cattle, and determined the potential of Jozini smallholder farmers progressing into commercial cattle farming. By identifying the nutrition and health status of cattle, the study seeks to gain insight on what the current position is with regards to animal quality. By determining the potential to progress, the aim is to assess whether smallholder farmers are in a position to progress, and if not what is compromising this transition. Data was collected using purposive sampling and 120 smallholder farmers were purposively selected in Jozini Northern KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Descriptive statistics were used to present analyse and the results of gender, age, education level, and income level, herd size, farming experience, land size and willingness to progress. Descriptive statistics were also used to analyse the association and significance with regard to socio-demographics as well as factors that determine farmer potential to progress. Majority of the sampled farmers were middle to old age. A total of 70 farmers had an average income of between R100-1500, which came from pension or government grants. Of the sampled farmers, 34 percent had no formal education. Farmers had the necessary farming experience with 50 percent having more than 10 years There were high odd ratio estimates from farming experience and income level. Farmers, who had more years of experience and higher income level, were more likely to progress into commercial cattle farming. Descriptive statistics indicated that farmers were willing to progress into commercialisation; however, factors such as market availability and market access, poor infrastructure, inability to access information, age and poor education contributed to farmer progressing potential being compromised. Body condition score was used to assess the nutrition status of cattle. Other contributing factors that were observed were the role of lactation in relation to body condition and supplementary feeding as a practice which contributes to nutrition status of animals. Similarly a clinical health checklist criterion was used to record information regarding the health status of cattle. The results showed that the majority of cattle had a poor body condition score of 2. There was a significant association between Body Condition Scoring and lactation. Furthermore, descriptive statistics revealed that tick counts were predominantly low in cattle due to a strict dipping programme implemented by farmers. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between tick count and body condition Score. The most common diseases mentioned by the farmers were black quarter and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Vaccinations were administered to control diseases in the area. The study identified poor nutrition status in cattle in relation to body condition scores, effective tick control me in smallholder cattle farming in Jozini. Farmers relied extensively on agricultural extension services and the study recommends that such support services are improved. Greater attention should be directed towards empowering smallholder cattle farmers in the area through skills and knowledge development. More so, infrastructure, access to functional markets access relevant information and production resources would significantly contribute to smallholder farmers potential to progress into commercialisation.